Violence has broken out on the streets of Barcelona as Nazi-saluting fascists draped in Spanish flags clashed with Catalan police wielding batons.

Spanish officials organised a unionist march through central Barcelona today in which they claimed more than a million people took part to resoundingly reject Catalonia’s declaration of independence.

During the protests in Barcelona, men can be seen lashing out at line of police officers and a second video from Madrid shows dozens of protesters gathered in a group and making Nazi salutes.

The crowds chanted that Carles Puigdemont, the sacked Catalan leader, should be sent to prison for declaring independence.

Other videos show gangs chanting 'Viva Franco' - a nod to Spain's former dictator General Francisco Franco.

Protesters also shouted obscenities about Catalan journalists, who they accuse of twisting the facts and selling fake news.

Thousands were chanting, ‘this time we are going to vote,’ declaring their intention to make their presence felt at the ballot box on 21 December rather than boycott the poll, as they did during the October 1 referendum.